Can you withdraw during the sales or on Black Friday?
Yes, without condition. The 14-day withdrawal right applies identically to the sales, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, private sales and all promotional prices. The reduced price has no impact. A merchant who refuses on the grounds that the item was on promotion commits an offence (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 9).
Why the promo price changes nothing
In the eyes of the law, a sale item and a full-price item are exactly the same. The 14-day withdrawal right, harmonised across the EU by Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 9), applies to any contract concluded at a distance, with no distinction of price. The promotional nature of the sale is not, in legal terms, a criterion adopted by the legislator. A sale at -70 % during Black Friday is a sale like any other: 14 days to change your mind, a full refund of the amount paid.
A frequent confusion with sales in a physical shop: there, no withdrawal right exists (the consumer was able to see the product before buying). This distinction between website and physical shop is essential.
Common illegal notices
Online merchants sometimes display notices that are without legal force :
- ✗“No returns or exchanges” on sale items
- ✗“Final sale, Black Friday”
- ✗“No returns accepted during Cyber Week”
- ✗“Promotional items are neither returned nor exchanged”
These notices cannot set aside a legal right. Terms and conditions that contain them include an unfair term, without legal effect under EU consumer law. The consumer can withdraw as normal and can cite these illegal notices as an aggravating circumstance in the event of a dispute.
Practical case: Black Friday purchase on 24 November 2025
A consumer buys a pair of shoes on Zalando on 24 November during the Black Friday, price paid 60 € (initial price 120 €). Received on 28 November. Withdrawal period: until 12 December 2025 inclusive (14 days after receipt). If she withdraws on 5 December, Zalando must refund her in full the 60 € within 14 days, plus the outbound postage costs (standard method). No discount, no penalty fee possible.
And for time-limited flash sales?
Identical. The limited duration of the commercial offer (flash sales, private-sale sites, pop-up sales) has no impact on the buyer's withdrawal period. The rule is: 14 days from receipt of the goods, regardless of how long the offer was available for purchase.